The Supreme Court’s approval of passive euthanasia for Harish Rana has revived memories of Aruna Shanbaug, whose tragic 1973 assault led to India’s landmark euthanasia guidelines. Her case laid the legal foundation for recognizing the constitutional right to die with dignity in India.
Today, On 11th March, In a historic first, the Supreme Court has allowed passive euthanasia, permitting withdrawal of life support for 31-year-old Harish Rana, who has remained in a vegetative state since a 2013 fall from a building for many years.
The Supreme Court has directed Noida district hospital to form a medical board to assess whether life support for a 31-year-old quadriplegic man can be legally withdrawn. The case follows his father’s plea citing continuous suffering and worsening health over the past 12 years.
